I Spent Seven Days On Oasis Of The Seas - Here Is My Experience Cruising For The First Time
When I was a child, I heard about Oasis of The Seas. She was the largest cruise ship in the world, featuring a rock climbing wall, a surfing simulator on the top deck, and a zip line over a boardwalk. I was fascinated and wondered when I could go on this ship to experience what it would be like to sail through the ocean on this colossal vessel.
Last year, I went on my first cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Of The Seas. During this trip, I visited my fourth country, met amazing people, experienced the best hospitality services ever, went to a beach for the first time, and enjoyed delicious food.
Oasis Of The Seas
Docked at Nassau, Bahamas
Oasis Of The Seas is a groundbreaking ship that revolutionized the cruising industry. Since her inaugural voyage in December 2009, this ship has set new standards for the perfect family vacation experience. At the time of her maiden voyage, she held the title of the largest ship in the world.
After a recent Royal Amplification in 2019, the ship now boasts 18 decks, 16 of which are accessible to guests, and 24 guest elevators, has a capacity of 6,771 guests and 3,109 crew members and offers over 20 dining options and 11 bars on board.
Measuring in at 215 feet wide and 1,187 feet long, Oasis was based in Bayonne, NJ (Cape Liberty) for the summer of 2023, where I embarked on the seven-night Perfect Day and Bahamas cruise.
A stressful embarkation
The ship arrived at the port two hours late. A parking attendant informed us that this delay was due to congestion in the waters. The delayed arrival affected our embarkation process, making it very hectic.
Our check-in time was scheduled for noon, but we arrived at the port around 10:30 am. After dropping off our luggage, parking the car, and going through security, we managed to board the ship at 11:58 am, which was quite remarkable given the circumstances.
Stepping onto the ship was a surreal experience. It didn't feel like being on a ship; it felt more like being in a mall. Experiencing it in real life was different from seeing pictures and videos. It was an overwhelming experience in the best way possible.
Once we completed the E-Muster drill, grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Solarium Bistro, dropped off our bags in our room, and got my first drink of the cruise.
Our Room
We saved money by booking a guaranteed Inside stateroom, and Royal Caribbean chose the location of our rooms. I understand that this option may not be suitable for everyone. Personally, I may not choose this option on my next cruise.
However, since I was traveling with family, getting connected staterooms would have been much more expensive, so we decided to have the cruise line assign our room. Our room was assigned about two weeks before our sail date.
Our rooms were on deck 12 at the front of the ship, directly underneath Adventure Ocean. Almost every piece of cruise information I have seen would say I had one of the worst cabins on the ship, but honestly, I think I had one of the best.
The slight sway of the ship was very nice at night when sleeping and quite amusing to me during the day. I love thrill rides and roller coasters, so I treated it like that. It was fun to feel tossed around in the ocean, not gonna lie.
Having a cabin located underneath Adventure Ocean was an added bonus. Yes, there was a lot of noise from the children running during the day, but we were assured of quiet by 10 pm, which was perfect because we usually found ourselves in our rooms around that time.
Our cabins were only one cabin away from each other, so thanks, Royal Caribbean, for hooking us up, lol.
The room itself was small, but we didn’t plan on staying in it for most of the cruise. It honestly encouraged you to go out and explore since it's tiny with no windows. And the lack of windows and natural light didn’t bother me either. I guess I’m just built differently.
As you'll discover later in this post, I didn't seem to experience seasickness.
The Drink Package
I do not drink alcohol, so I decided to purchase the Refreshment Package, which allowed me to have unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. I bought it at a 40% discount during a Pre-Black Friday sale in November 2022, which I think was a great deal, especially since costs have been rising lately.
During the cruise, I used the package to enjoy tasty smoothies from Vilitaly Cafe, mocktails such as Shirley Temples and Shirley Gingers, and freshly squeezed orange juice in the main dining room. Looking back, I wish I had used it to get milkshakes at Johnny Rockets.
Pro Tip: I always grabbed a bottle of water with every drink and brought it back to my room so I'd have something to drink if I didn't feel like going out or if everything was closed for the night.
Food Onboard
One of the things I was most excited about was the food. Having so many different options for food was an overwhelming but fun experience, and seven days is nowhere near enough time to eat your way through this ship.
The Main Dining room - Complimentary
My dining time was 5:00 pm, but I wish I had picked a later time. Some days, I wasn't even hungry when dinner rolled around because I had a late lunch.
In early 2023, Royal Caribbean changed its main dining room menu. Since this was my first cruise, I don't recall the dining experience before the changes. Therefore, this is an entirely unbiased food review.
Some cruisers say the service is slower because of the changes, while others say it's quicker.
I was in and out of the venue within 90 minutes.
However, I was in and out of the venue within 90 minutes. I've heard from other cruisers that the food is lacking, but I had a different experience. Most of my food was delicious, with a few notable standouts. However, there were some dishes I wouldn't order again.
See my Oasis Of The Seas - The Best And Worst Dishes In The Main Dining Room post for more info on my favorite dishes, but TLDR, some of my favorite meals in the main dining room were the NY Strip Steak, Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chicken Parmesan, and Buttermilk Pancakes.
I always said I wanted to wait until I was on a cruise to try a shrimp cocktail. There is just something about eating shellfish while on a cruise in the middle of the ocean.
I did not care for the Royal Burger, Chicken Ceasar Salad, Breakfast Burrito, or the Main Lobster Tail.
El LOCO Fresh - Complimentary
El Loco Fresh is a Mexican-inspired restaurant on the top deck of Oasis.
I opted for the chicken burrito with rice and taco fixings.
I only ate here twice and, to be honest, did not enjoy it. It is okay, nothing amazing. If you were craving Mexican food, this would help ease the craving, but I thought it was underwhelming.
Park Café - Complimentary
Park Café is a casual deli eatery in Central Park. Here, you will find quick bites to eat, such as made-to-order salads, fresh-pressed paninis and sandwiches, and the famous Royal Kümmelweck roast beef sandwich.
I ate here once and ordered a made-to-order, pretty good salad. While my favorite salad on Oasis is from the Solarium Bistro, but I found this one to be very good too. They also had delicious-looking pre-made sandwiches available.
Solarium Bistro - Complimentary
Royal Caribbean
Solarium Bistro is a Mediterranean-inspired buffet emphasizing fresh ingredients and lighter foods.
I can't believe I have no photos or videos of the food. I think it's because every time I was in there, I was starving, and the last thing I wanted to do was pull out my camera.
I ate there a couple of times for lunch and breakfast, and I enjoyed it. I don't like buffets because they tend to be overwhelming (and unsanitary), but since this one was smaller and had less foot traffic, I felt more at ease. I particularly loved the salad bar and the breakfast buffet.
Sorrento’S Pizza - Complimentary
Sorrento’s is your go-to place for Pizza. It is also open late, making it one of the best spots for an after-hours bite.
I feel like Flynn Rider in that sword-to-his-neck meme right now…..
I wouldn’t say I liked Sorrento’s.
The rest of my family loved Sorrento’s, but I couldn’t get into it. I wish I did because all-you-can-eat pizza sounds like an absolute dream.
Windjammer Buffet - Complimentary
Royal Caribbean
I didn't take any photos at the Windjammer because I only went there once and didn't enjoy it. The quality is not like the main dining room, and some of the food tasted like it had been sitting out for a while under the heat lamp because it was. The atmosphere was overwhelming, and I wasn't a big fan of the grab-and-go, pre-filled glasses of water and juice.
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi - Upcharge
Izumi offers fresh sushi and delicious teppanyaki prepared tableside. This dialed-up Asian-inspired dining experience allows you to savor various hot and cold appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
I did not go to Izumi, but some of my family members did and said it was fantastic and worth the money.
They had a green mixed salad for their starter, classic gyu (beef tenderloin) and rice for their teppanyaki selection, and a chocolate lava cake for dessert.
Now that I am looking at these photos, I wish I had gone.
Johnny Rockets - Upcharge
Johnny Rockets serves burgers, shakes, and fries in a cool retro atmosphere. At one point, the employees even put on classic 50s jukebox tunes and danced—it was cute.
For $15, you can order as much as you want from Johnny Rockets.
I ordered a smoke house burger, fries, and onion rings, which were so good. It is 10,000% worth the extra cost.
Ugh, now I’m craving Johnny Rockets.
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade - Upcharge
Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade is the perfect place to watch the game with others while on vacation or to get some bar food if you are craving it.
This was my most anticipated restaurant on Oasis.
I went here a couple of times and had the Playmakers Classic Burger, Crispy Onion Ring Tower, Chicken Tenders, and Buffalo Wings, and they were all delicious. The burger was one of the best I have ever had, and the chicken tenders were just phenomenal, with the cornflake breading paired with the ranch.
I don’t have a photo of the wings, as that was a late-night snack, but they were so good, too. They are in my top five wings of all time.
Also on the list are wings from this place across the pond that claimed to have the best wings in London, and wings I had at the hotel I stayed at in London. Subscribe to my email list to be notified when that post goes live.
PortSide BBQ - Upcharge
Portside BBQ serves up authentic barbecue favorites cooked low and slow to perfection.
Portside BBQ was added during the royal amplification in 2019, and Oasis is the only ship in the royal fleet with this specialty restaurant.
Even though I'm not a huge BBQ fan, I found the food at Portside BBQ to be fantastic.
I ordered the Signature combo with two cuts of meat, two sides, and one dessert. I chose the Burnt Ends, Sausage Links, Fries, Mac & Cheese, and Banana Dream for dessert, which cost me $12.49!
The meat was tender and well seasoned, but the Banana Dream dessert stood out. It was like banana pudding and was absolutely decadent but delicious.
Dress Code
My only issue with the dress code was in the Main Dining room.
On Embarkation night, they permitted shorts and tank tops. However, for the rest of the sailing, tank tops were not allowed during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and they didn't allow tank tops or shorts during dinner.
I wasn’t a fan of this; my room was at the front of the ship, and the main dining room was at the very back. It was very cumbersome and, to be frank, annoying to have to put on one type of outfit, eat breakfast, then go back to the room and change into a tanktop as the temperatures in the Bahamas were reaching 90+ degrees Fahrenheit.
Activities & Entertainment
TripSavvy
I atteneded several activities and entertainment shows on board the cruise.
I went to trivia sessions, the aqua show, and the ice show.
I tried to go ice skating, but I couldn't because it was already fully booked via the app.
Trivia
I joined various trivia sessions, one of which was hosted by NextCruise, where I won a session regarding guessing the cruise port in a photo. I also participated in other trivia sessions such as Britney vs. Witney song name trivia, general trivia, Disney trivia, Star Wars trivia, and different movie trivia sessions.
The Star Wars trivia session was quite intense. Passionate fans heatedly debated the validity of an answer to one of the questions. Even though I'm a huge Star Wars fan, I found myself lost in their discussion.
Shows
Royal Caribbean
Aqua80 and Frozen In Time are the signature water and ice shows.
Aqua80 is a fun spectacle set to the tunes of the '80s. I thought the show was good but couldn’t enjoy it properly because I arrived late and didn't get a decent seat. Also, some of the rude guests on board were so desperate to get photos and videos that they would actually reach over your head or rest their arms on your head to get the “perfect” photo or video.
I wish I were kidding.
I LOVED Frozen In Time. This ice show followed the stories of Hans Christian Andersen with captivating choreography and majestic music. As a fan of his stories, fairytales, and fantasy, I really enjoyed this, and I made sure to arrive early and get a perfect spot close to the ice.
Ports
This seven-day voyage included three port stops: Port Canaveral, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau Bahamas.
Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral
As a cruise nerd, I disembarked from the ship to stroll through the Port Canaveral terminal. I also hoped to visit the Disney Cruise Line terminal, but walking was too far.
We thought about booking the Walt Disney World shuttle excursion through the ship, but unfortunately, it was already sold out. Not to worry though, I had the opportunity to attend a Hollywood Studios After-hours event at Disney World earlier in the year.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Royal Caribbean
CocoCay was a destination I had always dreamed of visiting. I had never been to a beach, so I was incredibly excited to experience Perfect Day, which met my expectations.
The island is stunning, and the water is the bluest I have ever seen. Feeling the sand beneath my feet and the ocean water against my skin was unexpectedly enjoyable. The atmosphere was incredibly relaxing and laid-back, allowing for a perfect day. The ocean breeze also provided relief from the heat, making it very comfortable.
I can only criticize myself for not getting off earlier to reserve a beach seat. I spent most of the day on Chill Island and regretted not considering that the Independence of the Seas had docked before us. However, as the all-aboard time for the Independence of the Seas approached, the island became less crowded, making my last few hours even more enjoyable.
Pro-Tip: Your drink package and Wi-fi package work on the Island!
Nassau Bahamas
The Points Guy
I only got off for 20 minutes to get a souvenir and watch people on the pier.
It was HOT. I have never experienced such heat in my life. I thought Flordia's heat was terrible, but this was on another level.
Service and Staff
One of the highlights of my cruise experience was the exceptional service and staff onboard.
From the moment I stepped onto the ship, I was greeted by friendly and welcoming crew members who consistently went above and beyond to ensure that my cruise experience was amazing.
The staff's attention to detail, professionalism, and warmth truly elevated the overall ambiance of the cruise. Whether it was the attentive cabin stewards, the knowledgeable and helpful waitstaff, or the enthusiastic entertainment crew, every team member contributed to making my time aboard the ship memorable. Their dedication to providing top-notch service made me feel like a passenger and valued guest.
The Problem With NextCruise
Royal Caribbean Blog
I want to share my experience with booking a cruise through NextCruise on a ship.
We were excited to book a future cruise but had to cancel it a couple of months later. The initial deposit was $100 USD per person, and it was non-refundable, which we agreed to. We were also told that we could change the date with no change fee up until a specific date, but this detail wasn't clearly explained to us.
When we tried to change the date, we discovered that we would lose the initial deposit and have to pay an extra $100 per person. We decided to cancel the cruise and cut our losses. However, we then encountered another issue with a booked excursion. Although I was due for a full refund, I had only received half of the refund when I wrote this post in June 2024.
I called Royal Caribbean to cancel the cruise in January 2024.
Did I experience seasickness?
I'll admit that I was a bit freaked out once I felt the ship starting to move.
I'd never been on a ship or boat before, and the thought of experiencing a continuous swaying motion made me anxious.
In the months leading up to the cruise, the thought of getting seasick scared me more and more. I get motion sickness quite easily and can't even read in a moving vehicle. I felt sick after riding Mission Space Orange at EPCOT.
When I discovered that our guaranteed interior cabin was on a high deck at the very front of the ship, I may have panicked and stocked up on motion sickness prevention items, convinced that I'd spend the whole week feeling queasy.
To my surprise, I didn't get sick at all. In fact, I found that I actually enjoyed the ship's movement. One night, the Aqua show had to be canceled due to rough seas and the ship's rocking, but I felt perfectly fine and slept like a baby.
So, it seems I overreacted to my fear of seasickness. Despite this, I still have my sights set on visiting Antarctica one day, so I'll save all of my remedies for the notorious Drake Passage.
Final Thoughts
Royal Caribbean
Overall, I had a fantastic vacation, and I think the Oasis of the Seas is a perfect ship for first-time cruisers. It's a big ship and can be overwhelming at times, but cruising is for you if you enjoy staying busy while you travel.
I cannot wait to take a cruise again, and I can see it becoming one of my favorite methods of travel.
For my next cruise, I am considering one that stops at more ports because I love adventure.
Maybe a Mediterranean cruise?
I'm Andrea, a travel content creator from NYC. If you are considering visiting the world's most sought-after travel destinations and need tips and recommendations or are looking for the latest film reviews, you are in the right place. Join me as I share my passion for cinema and exploration.